Junction-box for electrical conductors.



No. 635,485. Patented Oct, 24,1899.

H. L. L. HUNDHAUSEN.

JUNCTION BOX FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUGTORS.

(Application filed June '26, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 Sheets-Sheet l.

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No. 635,485. 7 Patented 0ct.'24, [899. R. L. L. HUNDHAUSEN.

JUNCTION BOX FOR ELECTRICAL GONDUCTOBS.

(Application fllad. June 26, 1899.) (No Model.) 3 SheetsSheet 2.

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Patenfd Oct.- 24, I899.

R. L. L. HUNDHAUSEN. JUNCTION BOX FOR ELECTRICAL CONDUCTORS.

(Application filed June 26, 1899.) (No Mullah) 3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

u z'trzeuzar UNITED STATES PATENT EEicE.

RUDOLF LOUIS LEOPOLD IIUNDIIAUSEN, OF \VILMERSDORF, GERMANY, AS-

SIGNCR TO THE SIEMENS & IIALSKE ELECTRIC COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

JUNCTION-BOX FOR ELECTRICAL. CONDUCTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 635,485, dated October 24, 1899. Application filed June 26, 1899. Serial No. 721,561. (No model.)

To ctZZ whom, it may concern.- trating a modification of the above construc- Beitknown that I, RUDOLF LOUIS LEOPOLD tion. Fig. 4 illustrates a circular junction- I'IUNDHAUSEN, a subject of the Emperor of box provided with a rotatable cover. Fig. 5 Germany, residing at Wilmersdorf, near Bershows a modification thereof wherein the 5 lin,Germany,have invented a certain newand cover is adapted to be rotated through a small useful Improvement in Junction-Boxes for are, the movement being limited by a stop. Electrical Conductors, (Case No. 198,) of Fig. (Sillustrates two junction-boxes provided which the following is a full, clear, concise, with interlockingsliding covers. Fig. 7illusand exact description, reference being had to trates the same with one of the boxes open. 6 10 the accompanying drawings, forming a part Fig. 8 illustrates three j unction-boxes proof this specification. vided with interlocking covers adapted to be My invention relates to improvements in used in connection with a three-wire system junction-boxes for electrical conductors, and of distribution. Fig. 9 illustrates the same has for its object the provision of means for with one of the covers open. Fig. 10 illus- I5 preventing short circuits between the exposed trates a modification of the construction terminals of different polarities. shown in Fig. 8 adapted to be used in con- It is not often feasible in electrical practice nection with a three-wire system employing to renew or maintain an insulating-covering a grounded middle conductor. Fig. 11 is a upon the terminal parts, and when such form cross-sectional view of the above; and Fig. 20 of insulation is attempted the constant re- 12 is another crosssectional view of Fig. 10,

moval and replacing of the insulating matetaken at right angles to that of Fig. 11.

rial reduce its efficiency, so that the insula- The same letter of reference is used to destion can rarely be relied upon. My invenignate like parts in each of the several figures tion is equally applicable to branch conducof the drawings. 25 tor-boxes wherein practically the same con- The junction-boxes herein illustrated prefditions existnamely, requiring that freerably are formed of cast-iron or other suitquent access be had to the main and auxiliary able material in a well-known manner and conductors,with the necessity of making short are connected with the metallic pipes incloscircuits between conductors of different poing the insulated conductors. The boxes 3o tential an impossibility. I have therefore preferably are lined with any suitable insuprovided means in the junction and branch lating material, such linings making the danconductor-boxes constructed in accordance ger of short circuits with the earth or with a with my invention whereby the covers or lids middle wire more remote than was otherwise of such boxes are constructed to permit of ac obtainable. It is not advisable, however, to 8 5 5 cess to the terminals of but a single polarity construct the entire box of insulating mateat one time. rial, since in many cases the pipes and boxes Varying forms of apparatus embodying my may be employed as a middle conductor and invention are herein illustrated, which emother means for maintaining the conductivity bodiments comprise a plurality of terminal of the junction-boxes would be required. It 4o compartments having a cover or covers which will be understood that the several main and by appropriate construction or interlocking branch conductors of like polarity are led mechanism prevent the accidental short-cirinto the several compartments or boxes and cuiting of the energized conductors of the thereconnected in a manner well known to system. those skilled in the art. 5 45 My invention will be more readily under- The boxes illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 stood by reference to the accompanying draware provided with compartments Ct Z), adapted ings, whereinto receive the terminals of the positive and Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a twonegative conductors. A sliding cover 0 is compartment junction-box provided with a provided,which is prevented from being with- 50 single sliding cover. Fig. 2 is a plan view drawn from its sliding ways by a stop 0.

thereof. Fig. Sis across-sectionalviewillus- In the form illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 a central opening is provided in the cover, which may be moved alternately to register with compartment a or b, thereby permitting access to one or the other of the exposed terminal parts.

In the form illustrated in Fig. 3 the cover is constructed of such a length as completely to close both compartments when in a middle position, while preventing access to one compartment when the other is open.

In Fig. 4: the cover cl is rotatable in either direction upon a central pivot, the cover being provided with a single opening, which is made to register with any one of a plurality of circularly-disposed compartments.

The box shown in Fig. 5 is provided with a rotatable cover (1, adapted to be turned upon its pivot to expose either one or the other of the compartments a Z), a stop 0, extending through a segmental slot, serving to limit the movement of the cover.

In the form of apparatus shown in Figs. 6 and ,7 the boxes containing the terminals of opposite polarity are disposed substantially at right angles to each other, the covers 6 being provided with stops 6' and rearwardlyextending ears 6*, which serve, respectively, to limit the movement of the cover which is opened and prevent the movement of the opposing cover. The interdependence of these covers is illustrated clearly in Fig. 7, wherein the left-hand cover is open, stop (2 preventing its removal from the box, while the ear 6 or body of said cover engages the extended ear upon the opposite cover and prevents its movement until the first-named cover is again restored to its initial position.

In Figs. 8 and 9 a plurality of junction or branch conductor-boxes for a three-wire system are illustrated, wherein a modified construction for securing the interlocking of the covers is employed. Instead of providing rearwardly extending ears upon the said covers, as described above, the covers are disposed to move parallel to one another, and slotted slides f of triangular cross-section are mounted in a similar groove upon the connecting-frame of the boxes, which are adapted to be moved to any one of three different positions, permitting a corresponding cover to be opened while the remainder are temporarily locked in position. This will be more readily understood after consulting Fig. 9, wherein the slides have been moved to the left to permit of opening the junction-box upon the right-hand side of the figure. The slides are thus in position to permit any movement of the other two covers.

Figs. 10, 11, and 12 illustrate a slight modification of the apparatus in the two preceding figures and embody a simpler construction for securing the interdependent operation of two sliding covers closing a two-compartment box. It will be understood that the boxes serve electrically to connect the inclosing metallic pipes or conduits of the system, the same being designed for the grounded middle conductor of a three-wire system. In this instance the slide f has but a limited movement in either of two directions, serving to release one cover and lock the other, as previously explained. The arrangementjust described is especially advantageous in that it offers the greatest possible safety in syste ms which have lately been placed in use employing the continuous-current three-wire system with a grounded middle conductor operating with a potential of from two hundred to two hundred and twenty volts. The pipes, with the connecting-body of the junction-boxes, admirably and economically serve as the grounded middle conductor.

A brief consideration of the description of the apparatus herein illustrated will show that the closure device provided upon each of the several junction-boxes is adapted to permit access to but a single compartment at one time, thereby doing away with all liability of short-circuiting the exposed portions of the conductors contained within the compartments. I have illustrated varying forms of interlocking apparatus in Figs. 6 to 12, inclusive, wherein either a portion of the cover itself or a separate part is provided for maintaining the opposing cover or covers closed while one is open.

I have described and illustrated my invention and several modifications thereof, but I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself to the precise embodiment of apparatus herein set forth.

Having, however, described structures containing my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by these Letters Patent, the following:

1. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with two compartments to which are led respectively the conductors of an electrical system of distribution of different polarity, of a closure device normally maintaining the said compartments closed, and means for securing its movement to permit of gaining access alternatively to either of said compartments, substantially as described.

2. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a plurality of compartments wherein are respectively led conductors of a system of electrical distribution of different polarity, of a sliding closure device adapted normally to cover the said compartments, and means for permitting the said closure device to be moved, whereby access may be had to any one of the compartments while the remainder are maintained closed, substantially as described.

3. The combination, in apparatus of the class described, with compartments Ct 7) containing respectively the conductors of negative and positive polarity, of sliding covers normally maintaining the said compartments closed, and an interlocking appliance associated with said covers adapted to permit of the opening of but one of the compartments at a time, substantially as described.

4. The combination, in apparatus of the class described, with compartments a Z) containing respectively the conductors of opposite polarity, of covers normally maintaining the said compartment-s closed, and a slide f associated with the said covers adapted to be moved to either of its alternative positions, whereby one or the other of said compartments maybe opened and the other securely locked, substantially as described.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with compartments a Z) wherein are respectively disposed the electrical conductor-terminals of opposite polarity, of movable closure apparatus adapted normally to maintain the said compartments closed, and means for securing the interlocking movement of the said covers, whereby one compartment is maintained closed while the other is open, substantially as and for the purpose described.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with compartments C0 7) respectively containing the terminal-conductors of opposite polarity, of sliding covers normally maintaining the said compartments closed, and sliding parts associated with the said covers adapted to secure an interlocking action, and maintain one compartment closed While the other is open, substantially as described.

7. The combination, in apparatus of the class described,with compartments ab, of sliding covers 9 normally closing the said oompartments and moving in ways substantially parallel, and a slide f movable at right angles thereto adapted normally to engage either of the said covers, the said slide being movable to one or the other of its extreme positions, whereby the corresponding cover may be opened and the other one securely locked, substantially as described.

8. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with a plurality of compartments adapted respectively to receive the conductors of like polarity of a system of distribution, of sliding covers 0 normally closing the said com= partments, said covers moving in ways substantially parallel, and slide f disposed before the said sliding covers having alternative positions, whereby only one of the covers may be opened at a time,substantially as described,

9. In apparatus of the class described, the combination with compartments a b respec- Lively containing terminal parts of opposite polarity, of a closure device normally main= taining the said compartmentsclosed, and a mounting for the said closure device pern1it ting its movement, whereby one of the compartments is opened and the other one is m aintained closed, substantiallyas and for the purpose described.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my name this 7th day of June, A. D. 1899.

RUDOLF LOUIS LEOIOLD HUNDIIAUSEN.

Witnesses:

HENRY HAsPER, WOLDEMAR HAUPT. 

